Question

During autocatalysis of DNA, which one of the following provide free OH group and is also used to anchor for addition of new DNA nucleotides?

• A. DNA polymerase
• B. Ligase
• C. RNA primer
• D. Topoisomerase

Answer 1

The correct option is C RNA primer

A primer is a short single strand of RNA or DNA (generally about 18-22 bases) that serves as a starting point for DNA synthesis. It is required for DNA replication because the enzymes that catalyze this process, DNA polymerases, can only add new nucleotides to an existing strand of nucleotides. Since primase produces RNA molecules, the enzyme is a type of RNA polymerase. Primase functions by synthesizing short RNA sequences that are complementary to a single-stranded piece of DNA, which serves as its template. It is critical that primers are synthesized by primase before DNA replication can occur.

So, the correct option is 'RNA primer'.